Improvement in billiard-bridges



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB N. MGINTIRE,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN BlLLIARD-BRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 211,416, dated January 14, 1879 application filed May 4, 1878.

Toall whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AGOB N. MCINTIRE, of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented an Im-. proved Billiard-Bridge; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

Previousto my invention a billiard-bridge has beenmade somewhat after the fashion of the bridge of a violin in contour-that is to say, oblongwith one of its longer sides adapted to rest on the table, and with its other long side formed with three notches to constitute rests for the cue; but in the use of this kind of bridge it is only possible to rest the one at two different elevations above the table-bed, since the two side notches are at the same height above the base of the bridge, while the middle notch is somewhat higher than the two side ones.

A kind of bridge has also been made somewhat resembling the letter X in form, and adapted to be used with equal facility in any one of the four positions in which it may be placed, (with any two of its prongs or arms resting on the table,) the crotches between the two opposite sets or pairs of prongs being sometimes a little deeper than those of the other set, so that one pair of notches 'or rests is slightly higher than the other pair; but in this little practical advantage is gained by the variations in elevation of the notches, because the opposite notches are at'the same height above the bed ofthe table. Only two different heights are attainable, and no variation of the cue-rest possible except by a quarter-rotation about the axis of the bridge-handle of the bridge. The chief utility in this sort of bridge is its capacity to be in a useful position, no matter how it may be rested or placed on the table, and any variation of height existing in the cue-supporting notches is more accidental than efficacious.

- Other bridges have been made and patented in which has been combined in some manner with the main bridge portion a movable part, adapted to be adjusted in some manner by a twisting or turning movement of the bridgehandle, so as to either bring uppermost different notches of various elevations above the base of the bridge, or to moveup or down a single notch or cue-rest but in all such conporting notches of variable elevations, shall present an equally firm base in any position in which it may be placed for the use of any one of its variously-elevated notches, andwhich may be made like the old-fashioned bridge, of

one single piece.

To these ends and objects my invention consists in a billiard-bridge the body portion of which is so formed of one part, with a series of notches and projecting arms or prongs, that in any position in which it may be placed for use it will be supported upon two of the substantially equidistant prong or arm points, and present at its upper edge a cue-rest or notch at a different elevation from that at which the bridge will support the one in any other of the positions in which said bridge can be placed.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my improved billiard-bridge, I will proceed to describe the construction and operation thereof, referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated a bridge embodying my invention.

Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are face views or elevations of a bridge made according to my invention, and placed in the four different positions in which such a bridge may be used, respectively, to support the one at four difi'erent degrees of elevation above the table-bed. Fig. 5 is an edge view or side elevation of the bridge.

Ihave drawn the bridge about full size in the drawings accompanying this application, and the broken line A B indicates a given level at which the base of the bridge is placed in each of the four positions in which it is shown in the first four figures of the drawing. When placed as seen at Fig. 1, theme will rest in the notch formed between the prongs c and d, and as the lowest part of this notch (designated as rest 1) is about one inch and three-quarters above the line A B, the one will be correspondingly supported in makin g the shot. By turning the bridge (a quarterturn) into the position seen at Fig. 2, the one will be supported in the notch formed between the arms at and e, the lowest part of which notch (marked 2) is about two inches above the base-line A 13, and consequently the cue will be held about a quarter of an inch higher up than with the bridge in the position seen at Fig. 1.

When the bridge is turned as seen at Fig. 3, the notch 3, between arms 0 then supports the cue higher still, (about a quarter of an inch higher;) and if the bridge be placed as shown at Fig. 4, the cue then rests in notch 4, between arms f and c, and is supported at the maximum elevation at which it can be used on the bridge.

It will be seen that in each of the four positions shown the bridge rests on substantially the same sort of base, (formed by some two of the arms 0 d ef,) and the one will be supported I in a notch or rest located over and between the supporting-arms of the bridge, so that the center of gravity of the one will come in intermediate of the two points at which the bridge rests on the table and it will be understood that, while in the use of my improved bridge the one may be rested with equal perfection of support at a different height over the body, which is quite important, since by accidental movement ofthe handle relating to the bridge body, in either an adjustable or non adjustable bridge, it is liable to spoil the perfection of the players execution with the one.

I have shown that mode of carrying out my invention which I have so far deemed the best, and according to which I have practiced it; but the form, proportions of the parts, and the size of the bridge may, of course, each or all be varied from what is shown without departing from the principles of my invention, so long as the bridge-body is made with supporting-notches, which, when the bridge is rested on the several pairs of prongs or arms, will support the one at various elevations, as explained.

In lieu of the four notches shown, the bridge may be made with three only, or with more than four, and at the same time be so formed, as described, that in each position in which it may be placed the one may be properly supported at a difterent elevation above the tablebed.

I am aware of the Letters Patent No. 199,105, and do not wish to be understood as laying any claim to what is therein shown and described; but,

Having so fully described 'my improved bridge that any skilled person can make and use a bridge involving my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A billiard-bridge the body of which is formed with a series of notches or depressions, in each of which, according to the placement of the bridge on .the table, the cue may be properly supported at a different elevation, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of April, 1878.

J. N. MGINTIRE.

In presence of- JACOB FELBEL, D. B. \VILMo'r. 

